MARION COUNTY — A 49-year-old Centralia man was sentenced Wednesday in Marion County Court to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the severe beating last summer of a 15-year-old boy on a Centralia street.

Christopher James pleaded guilty in November 2019 to one of two Class 3 felony charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in exchange for the second charge being dismissed.

James had earlier been identified as the step-father of three of four juveniles who have also pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

Prosecutors presented evidence in the case that James had initially intervened in the beating that took place after the victim was chased and knocked off his bike near Lincoln and Haussler streets but that he also beat the 15-year-old boy with his bike and stomped the boy as he was lying in the street.

Police testimony confirmed the victim of the beating was an alleged member of the Rude Boys gang and that police believe he was likely responsible for shots that had been fired into a home where James lived at the time with the three step-sons charged in the case.

Authorities say the victim suffered a level two permanent brain injury and is unable to speak or have any memory of the incident, something that was confirmed by medical staff.

James is already serving a 3-year prison sentenced in Big Muddy Correctional Center on a Clinton County conviction for felony domestic battery.

Before sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Marc Kelly noted James’ long criminal history and his repeated failure to successfully complete probation.

The judge commented that while James suffers from mental illness it did not rise to the level of interfering with his fitness to stand trial or as a defense in the case.